SAN JUAN, La Union – Filipino surfer Roger Casugay set aside his chance for a gold medal when he rescued his Indonesian rival, whose leash was detached from the surfboard, during the Southeast Asian Games open surfing competition here.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo La Union Friday, Casugay said although it was not his obligation to save his co-athlete since they are in the middle of a competition, he, nonetheless, chose to help.
In a Facebook post by the SEAG account on Friday, Indonesian surfer Arip Nurhidayat was seen struggling with gigantic waves after his leash broke during the surfing competition.
“Wala na akong obligasyon kasi kompetisyon. Kung ganoon may maputulan ng leash at nasa line up ako, advantage ko na ‘yon. Ang nangyari, pinapabalik na kami sa shore kaya tinulungan ko na siya,” Casugay said.
The organizers put on hold the competition after Nurhidayat broke his leash.
Casugay then rescued the Indonesian surfer and they were seen riding on his board, both overcoming the high waves.
The surfer earned praises from netizens who called the Bacnotan, La Union native a real hero and pride of the Philippines.
In a social media post from Dew Luis, he said that Ilocandia is the birthplace of great heroes.
“In La Union, we have a local surfer guy, a humble and professional surfer from Bacnotan named Casugay.”
Luis said Casugay set aside his dream of SEAG gold to save Nurhidayat from distress.
“That spirit of ‘Saranay’ over the fierce waves that rolled; shows off that Ilokano’s extraordinary deed and heroic culture throughout the world,” Luis said. “We Win As One, and that indeed, is our silver lining; just can’t help to say this piece, to a Great Surfer, Roger Casugay,” he added.
For Guro PH and Nurse PH, they said that Casugay may not have earned a gold medal that day for his country, but Casugay has shown the Filipino heart to the world.
“What makes SEA Games 2019 being held in the Philippines great is not the sparkle of greatness. It’s all about the heart behind it. The Filipino heart in times of danger, will not think twice of doing what is right,” they said. (PNA and Freddie Lazaro)
